Newhart, who played entertainer Professor Proton, a former TV host and childhood hero of Sheldon Cooper's, had been nominated three times for his CBS series Newhart, in which he played a Vermont innkeeper, and for previous guest stints on ER and The Librarian. Teary-eyed, he claimed his trophy at the Creative Arts ceremony in Los Angeles, a precursor to next Sunday's Primetime Emmy Awards that honors technical achievements and a handful of other categories. Newhart is expected to return to Big Bang next season.

Melissa Leo won the Emmy for guest actress in a comedy for her role as Laurie, one of Louis C.K.'s dates on FX's Louie; Dan Bucatinsky won guest actor in a drama for his role as (former) reporter James Novak on ABC's Scandal; and Carrie Preston won for guest actress in a drama as lawyer Elsbeth Tascioni on CBS's The Good Wife.

Among other awards presented Sunday, CBS's Undercover Boss won for best reality program (a category distinct from best reality-competition series, to be presented next week); Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn shared the award for reality-series host for Lifetime's Project Runway; and Comedy Central's South Park won its fifth award as outstanding animated program.

The Creative Arts ceremony will air Saturday at 9 ET/PT on the new FXX cable network.